Engineering Excellence Through Better Writing: AESC’s Journey to Streamlined Communication
Results
- Improved efficiency in the editing and quality-control process for technical documents
- Enhanced clarity and effectiveness of written communication for diverse readers
- Significant improvement in technical writing skills company-wide
“My writing has become clearer and more polished, and I think it will continue to improve as I use the things that I have learned in the webinar. I have also noticed a significant improvement in our other engineers’ writing.”
– Mike Casey,
Engineering Manager for AESC
Introduction
Alternative Energy Systems Consulting, Inc. (AESC) is a leader in energy engineering and management consulting, providing high-quality technical and management services to a diverse range of clients, including utilities, government agencies, and large energy users. AESC’s teams of mechanical, electrical, environmental, and software engineers leverage state-of-the-art energy systems to deliver impactful solutions.
Clear communication is essential for AESC’s success, as its reports, designs, and recommendations influence critical, multi-million-dollar decisions. Documents are often subject to regulatory auditing and reviewed by both technical and non-technical stakeholders, so concise and accessible communication is paramount.
Background
AESC’s engineers are experts in their fields, but their technical documents often need to convey complex data and concepts to two very different readers:
- Technical professionals who require detailed and precise information
- Nontechnical stakeholders—such as managers and accountants—who need concise, accessible summaries
Balancing these requirements proved difficult, leading to inefficiencies in the company’s communication processes. Engineers often struggled to create documents that were both clear and comprehensive, resulting in
- Time-consuming editing and quality control, with managers frequently tasked with reviewing and refining technical documents
- A lack of standardized writing practices sometimes led to inconsistencies in the final product
- Missed opportunities to effectively communicate complex information to nontechnical readers
Additionally, the company’s high-stakes work often required regulatory compliance and audit-ready documentation, further heightening the need for precise and effective communication.
Recognizing the need to enhance their engineers’ technical writing skills, AESC partnered with Hurley Write.
Solutions Implemented by Hurley Write
Hurley Write worked closely with AESC’s management to design a tailored solution that addressed their specific communication challenges:
1. Customized Training Program
Hurley Write developed a live webinar series, which was chosen as the most practical and cost-effective method for training employees across AESC’s four locations. Unlike pre-recorded courses, the live sessions allowed for real-time interaction and feedback, making the training more personal and engaging.
- Tailored Content: Hurley Write analyzed AESC writing samples to identify common issues and tailor the training modules to the company’s specific needs
- Modular Approach: The program was divided into six focused modules, each addressing key aspects of technical writing
- Interactive Learning: Participants were encouraged to ask questions and engage in discussions to ensure the concepts were fully understood and applicable to their work
2. Individualized Feedback
To maximize the program’s impact, Hurley Write provided personalized feedback to participants. Writing samples were reviewed both before and after the training sessions to
- Identify areas for improvement
- Highlight progress made during the program
- Offer actionable advice for applying new skills in real-world scenarios
3. Comprehensive Focus on Writing Fundamentals
The training emphasized foundational writing principles that had been overlooked or underused in daily work. This helped AESC’s engineers reconnect with key strategies for crafting clear, concise, and effective documents tailored to their diverse readers.
Through this customized and interactive approach, Hurley Write equipped AESC’s engineers with tools and techniques to elevate their technical writing and streamline their communication processes.
Results
The collaboration with Hurley Write significantly improved AESC’s technical writing and overall communication processes. The tailored webinar series empowered engineers to produce clearer, more concise, and reader-appropriate documents, leading to measurable benefits across the company.
A. Company-Wide Improvements
- Enhanced Communication and Clarity: Engineers learned to craft documents that effectively conveyed complex technical data to both technical and nontechnical readers.
- Streamlined Quality Control: Improved writing skills reduced the time and effort required for editing and quality control, allowing managers to focus on other priorities.
B. Individual Growth
Mike Casey, an engineering manager at AESC, described the training as an “eye-opener.” The program helped him and his team reconnect with fundamental writing principles that improved their technical communication.
“My writing has become clearer and more polished. I learned that there are a lot of aspects of good writing and editing that I already knew or should have known but had fallen out of practice in using.”
The program’s lessons not only enhanced his personal writing but also improved his ability to guide and refine the work of the engineers he manages.